Peels come in all shapes and sizes, and choosing the right peel for the right skin indication at the right time is truly a sum of the parts for a perfect outcome and beautiful skin results.
There are 2 types of medical contraindications: absolute and relative indications. If you are considering undergoing a chemical peel, it is It is important to fully understand the contraindications and relative contraindications for a medical peel. In principle, if either of these indications applies, then the answer is: NO! So, do not do it.
But when is a peel actually a good idea, and when is it better to wait? After all, not every skin is always in the right condition for this treatment. That is why it is important to be well-informed before making a choice.
What are contraindications?
Contraindications are circumstances or factors under which a specific treatment should not be performed because it could cause serious harm to health. For a chemical peel, some examples of contraindications are:
- Active skin infections: Such as herpes or impetigo, which can worsen due to the peel.
- Severe skin conditions: Such as eczema or psoriasis, which can worsen due to the treatment.
- Recent use of certain medications: Like isotretinoin, a medication for acne, which can make the skin very sensitive.
These conditions can lead to unwanted complications such as severe skin irritation, infections, or even permanent damage, and therefore it is absolutely necessary that these are ruled out before a medical peel treatment takes place.
What are Relative Contraindications?
Relative contraindications are factors that require extra caution before a treatment can be administered. These circumstances do not automatically mean that treatment cannot proceed, but rather that the benefits must be weighed against the potential risks.
Examples of this are:
- Hskin conditions: These can sometimes worsen due to the peel, but this is not always the case.
- Pregnancy: Many professionals are cautious about peels during pregnancy due to the unknown effects of the chemicals on the fetus.
- Susceptibility to scarring: Individuals who scar easily, such as keloids, may be at an increased risk of complications after a peel.
Why does the skin therapist need to take this into account?
As a skin therapist, the safety of Your client is the priority. This means a thorough evaluation of the skin condition and medical history. is necessary to identify both absolute and relative contraindications. Medical peels can be effective for improving skin texture and addressing various skin conditions, but success depends heavily on the proper assessment of contraindications. This not only ensures health and safety but also increases satisfaction and confidence in the treatment.
In the event of relative contraindications, it may be necessary to draw up a modified treatment plan, in which the intensity of the peel is reduced or an alternative treatment method is chosen. This not only helps avoid negative side effects but also ensures the best possible results.
Do you have symptoms? However, if you have not been diagnosed by a doctor, discuss your concerns and questions with the skin therapist during a skin consultation prior to the dermatological treatment. With your permission, the skin therapist may also consult with your general practitioner. In the event of a relative contraindication, there may perhaps a safe execution of the skin treatment can be made possible after all.
With our extensive treatment options, Medicadermis is ready to answer your skin questions. However, we understand that all the choices we offer online can be overwhelming. And that sometimes you need advice in addition to the information we share online. Feel free to contact us for a no-obligation consultation. consultation in the Medikadermis Skin Therapy practice with our skin therapist. But also low-threshold contact in the form of a free video consultation That is of course also possible. Discover which peel best suits your needs. Get compliments with a clear, even, and firm skin. Enjoy minimal recovery time with lasting results.
List of Absolute Contraindications
Skin conditions:
- Active skin infections, such as viral infections, bacterial infections, impetigo, cellulitis, shingles, etc.
- Dermatitis, including atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis that is active and inflamed.
- Wounds or recent surgery: areas with open wounds, recent surgical scars, or incompletely healed skin.
- Skin cancer: active or recently treated skin cancer in the area to be treated. With the exception of Actinic Keratosis, which can be effectively treated with a deep peel but is always performed under the supervision of your GP or dermatologist.
- Keloid or hypertrophic scars: people with a history of this scar formation are at risk of further scarring problems.
Medical conditions:
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or scleroderma, that can affect healing.
- Immunodeficiencies, both congenital and acquired (such as HIV/AIDS), that can impair skin healing.
- Diabetes, especially if poorly controlled, which can affect skin healing.
Medication use:
- Isotretinoin use in the last 6 months: This acne medication (often known by the brand name Accutane or Roacutane) increases the risk of serious side effects and delays healing.
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners): increase the risk of bleeding and can delay healing.
- Topical medications, such as retinoids and steroids that can irritate or thin the skin.
- Recent use of other skin treatments: including other peels or laser treatments that have thinned or sensitized the skin.
Other circumstances
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: primarily due to the lack of safety data and the potential impact of chemical substances.
- Recent sun exposure: can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation after a peel.
- Allergies, specifically to ingredients used in the peeling solution.
Psychological factors:
- Unrealistic expectations: patients who expect an immediate solution to skin problems without realistic goals.
List of Relative Contraindications
Skin conditions:
- Active skin infections, wounds, or eczema: It is important that the skin is intact and not inflamed. Infections, open wounds, or active eczema may worsen due to a peel.
- History of poor wound healing or keloid formation: People who are prone to keloid formation or who have a history of poor wound healing may be at increased risk of scarring after a peel.
- Recent skin treatments: recent procedures such as laser treatments or other skin-exfoliating treatments can make the skin too sensitive for chemical peels.
- Herpes simplex virus or other viral skin infection such as shingles: People with a history of viral infections may experience an outbreak after a peel due to the stress the treatment places on the skin.
Medicines
- Recent use of certain medications: Patients who have recently used isotretinoin (a powerful acne medication) must wait before undergoing a chemical peel. It is recommended to wait at least six months after completing a treatment with isotretinoin.
- Use of Antibiotics: Some antibiotics, particularly those from the tetracycline class, can cause photosensitivity, meaning the skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight. This can pose a risk with chemical peels, as the skin is more sensitive and susceptible to sun damage after a peel. There is also a risk of allergic skin reactions due to the interaction between the chemicals in the peel and the antibiotics.
- Use of herbs and homeopathy, such as St. John's wort, makes the skin more sensitive to the sun's UV radiation.
Other circumstances
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: During pregnancy and breastfeeding, chemical peels are often advised against due to uncertainty regarding the effects of the chemicals used on the baby.
- Allergies to ingredients: an allergy to one of the components in the peeling solution can lead to severe reactions.
- Photosensitivity: Individuals taking medication that causes photosensitivity, or who have a history of photosensitivity, should be cautious with chemical peels because these can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.
- Recent tanning or sunburn: Skin that has recently been exposed to a lot of sun and may be sunburned must be fully healed before a chemical peel is considered.